Bill Ward Hopes for Return to Black Sabbath

The year of 2012 was supposed to find a reunited Black Sabbath playing festivals all over the world. But due to guitarist Tony Iommi's battle with cancer and drummer Bill Ward's absence because of a contract dispute, they only played three shows, all minus the band's original stickman.

Ward was recently interviewed by Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes as part of the six-part Vice series 'Black Sabbath and the Birth of Heavy Metal' (watch below), and spoke about his current situation with Sabbath.

In regard to his relationship with Sabbath members and what might happen in the future, Ward said, "There have been some very uncomfortable situations in the last six months. We'll see how that works out. But I stand for myself today. As much as I love them… I'll always play; that's my life."

Ward adds,"If there's some longevity with Black Sabbath, then I'd like to be a part of it. I wanna play hard rock. I wanna play loud drums. I love playing with Terry (Geezer Butler], I love playing with Ozz (Ozzy Osbourne) and I love playing with Tony (Iommi). When Tony opens up with huge chords, I still get the same shiver up my back that I got when we were 18-year-old kids. It ain't gone away. It's still there."

In a recent interview, Osbourne and Iommi did not close the door to a Ward return. "There was no row. There was no argument," Osbourne said. "The door ain’t closed. Whether we work something out up the road, I don’t know.” Tony Iommi echoed those sentiments, adding, “It’s not a personal thing. If he phoned us up tomorrow, which he hasn’t, but if he did…”

Sabbath are also working on a new album, and if Ward is to rejoin his former bandmates in time to play on it, the clock is ticking.